Two-stroke motorbikes will be banned by law on New Year?s Day, TCD said yesterday.

The Transport Control Department (TCD) yesterday warned bike shops to not bring in any more two-stroke motorcycles (over 50 cc) ?without a permit from the Minister of Tourism and Transport?.

The Motor Cycle and Auxiliary Bicycles (Special Measures of Control) Act comes into force on January 1, 2005. Charles Clarke, Acting Director of TCD yesterday said: ?We are very keen for the public to be aware of this amendment to the Legislation. The law is very definite and no exceptions for importing these types of vehicles will be made on or after January 1.

?As an example, if a shipment of two stroke cycle has not landed by December 31, 2004, it may not be imported. This provision has been known for the last two years, and there will be no allowances for the importation of ?in transit? shipments,? Mr. Clarke said.

He added that any two stroke motor cycle, which was imported on or before December 31, 2004, can be sold and all two stroke motor cycles will continue to be licensed for use on Bermuda?s roads.

A motorcycle is a cycle with an engine capacity larger that 50 cc. And all auxiliary cycles (no larger than 50cc) will still be eligible for importation. ?In addition, spare parts for the cycles can still be imported,? he said.